Congratulations to our summer graduands
Release Date 07 July 2015
This week, nearly 3,500 students will graduate from the University of Reading. 18 ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the University's magnificent Great Hall on the historic London Road campus.
Graduates can enjoy the celebrations even more in the knowledge that studying at Reading has provided them with a great start to the next stage of their lives. This year, 94% of our graduates were in work or further study within six months of graduating from Reading.
Practical information about this year's graduation ceremonies
Tweet your congratulations using #rdggrad!
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, Sir David Bell said: "The University is extremely proud of all its graduates. Many will go on to achieve great things, nationally and across the globe, in areas as diverse as meteorology, law, agriculture, history and psychology, to name but a few. Hundreds of graduates have volunteered in the community, supporting local schools and transforming lives. Their dedication and hard work is to be commended.
"Having been taught by leading academics who are innovative and passionate about their subject, they have received a wonderful start to their career. My congratulations go to all who are graduating over the coming days. They are great ambassadors for the University and I wish them all the best for the future."
Honorary Degrees
On Wednesday 8 July Diane Lees CBE will be presented for an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. Diane is Director-General of the Imperial War Museums and Chair of the National Museum Directors' Council. In February 2014 Diane was appointed to David Cameron's Holocaust Commission's Commemoration Expert Group Committee.
On Thursday 9 July Vinton G. Cerf will be presented for an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science. Known widely known as one of the ‘Fathers of the Internet', Vint is considered one of the co-designers of the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet. He is Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google, contributing to global policy development and the continued spread of the Internet.
On Friday 10 July Dame Nemat (Minouche) Shafik will be presented for an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science. Minouche Shafik became Deputy Governor of the Bank of England in August 2014. She was Permanent Secretary of the Department for International Development from 2008-2011 and was Vice President at the World Bank, where she was responsible for policy advice and the performance of portfolio of investments worth about $50 billion.
Also on Friday 10 July Lord Waldegrave of North Hill will be presented for an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. William Waldegrave (Lord Waldegrave of North Hill) is the Provost of Eton College, a post he has held since 2009. Lord Waldegrave served as a Conservative Member of the British Parliament from 1979 to 1997 of which seven years were as a Cabinet Minister (Minister of Agriculture, Chief Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State for Health.
College of Benefactors
This week the University of Reading will also celebrate the impact of seven of its most prolific supporters on the institution's research and student experience.
BMT Group Limited, The British Heart Foundation, The Marshal Papworth Fund, The Calleva Foundation, GML Limited, JLL and Thomson Reuters, were all inducted into the College of Benefactors. Members of this prestigious group are recognised as being the most significant donors to the University.